D2 South
#1 King Philip vs. #8 Braintree, 7:00
By Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston.com
Braintree is making its first playoff appearance since 1998. Head coach Brian Chamberlain has instilled a new energy into the program, playing a hard-nosed brand of football on both sides of the ball.
The Wamps offense is led by running back J.P. Salisbury who combines with quarterback Mike Mahoney to create a two-headed rushing attack. Earlier this season, Braintree ran for nearly 400 yards in its win over Weymouth, so the offensive identity of both the Wamps and King Philip is largely synonymous.
A pair of sophomores in Drew Caruso and Nick Martin have also contributed to Braintree’s ground attack and provide a change of pace.
Even for the Wamps’ offensive mentality to establish the run, they also have a big target in the passing game, in 6-foot-3 senior wide receiver Brendan Smyth.
On defense, the Wamps are anchored by an All-State-caliber linebacker in Derek Anson. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is tough in the run game and a sure-handed tackler. KP would be advised to run toward the weak side of the Wamps’ defense, away from Anson’s outside position.
#7 Mansfield @ #2 Marshfield, 7:00
By Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston.com
Every now and then, you run into a team with such a unique offense that preparing for it during the week as an opponent takes away from time normally spent on your own offensive install. This is one of those such teams, running Lou Silva’s uniquely patented variation of the classic Wing-T offense for decades.
As football offense has evolved over the last several years, so too has the Rams’ scheme, which has diversified to include looks out of the pistol variation. With all the pulling linemen, pre-snap motion, handoff fakes and mesh points, there’s a lot to keep track of. Orchestrating the whole thing is quarterback Jack Masterson, who has completed 65 percent of his passes and thrown just two interceptions.
Of course, it helps to have a target as dangerous as Danny Dalton; the 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior tight end leads the Rams in every receiving statistic, catching 30 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns. With his long, lanky, athletic frame, he is a matchup nightmare; if there’s a game that Mansfield really misses having Brendan Hill off the edge, it’s this one. That would have been one of the best individual matchups to watch across the state on opening weekend.
In the running game, this is a punishing offensive line to run behind, averaging close to 260 pounds across and led by juniors Josh Ramos (6-4, 265) and Shane Leonard (6-3, 265). That reflects in the rushing column, where the Rams are averaging 5.4 yards per carry, led by seniors Jacob Maher and Frank Catanoso. The Rams’ line has also kept Masterson clean, allowing just one sack so far this year.
Defensively, there’s a lot to like, particularly in the front seven. Dalton has been used all over the field, making starts at linebacker and defensive end so far this season, and he’s been of their most dangerous weapons wherever he lines up. Bookended with end Sean Burger (57 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8 hurries), they make a great punch off the edge. The Rams also boast one of the best linebacking corps across Division 2, led by Bobby McCarthy, Fred Allen and Matt Benson. At times, the offense has struggled to move the ball, but the defense has usually been there to bail them out.
D3 Southwest
#2 Stoughton vs. #7 Oliver Ames, 6:00
Game of the Week - Click here for more
#3 North Attleboro vs. #6 Medfield,
By Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Medfield finished the season 5-2 thanks in large part to its defensive effort. Even in its two losses, to Westwood and Holliston, the Warriors played well on the defensive side of the ball only to have turnovers lead to key scores for the opposition.
The Warriorrs are a senior-laden team that experienced the playoffs last season only to be beaten in the first round by Oliver Ames and they have expectations to go further this fall. Medfield is more experienced on the line of scrimmage than a year ago, although it still cannot match North Attleboro for size. What Medfield lacks up front it tries to make up for with speed and the offensive and defensive lines will be quick to pull or to trap in an attempt to combat the Rocketeers' advantage on the line. It worked in the Holliston game to hold the visitors to fewer than 200 yards rushing, which is impressive against that offense.
Offensively, Medfield can count on strong running from senior back Josh Hirschfeld, who will be the primary ball carrier against North. He is not the fastest back, but he hits the hole with speed and does not go down on the first hit. Senior quarterback Stephen Ledogar is a great leader and can make plays with either his arm or his legs. The main threat down field, and also the main threat to make plays defensively, is senior captain Matt Patry. Patry is arguably the top athlete on the team and can make plays even in great coverage and will most likely be lined up to cover Andrew Hanwell or Ridge Olsen on the other side of the ball.
Medfield will have to limit its turnovers to compete with North. The Warriors cannot match the Rocketeers for size and will need to control the ball and manage the clock to pull out the upset at Community Field. This is not a team to be overlooked though, as it is capable of forcing turnovers itself and has athletes at the skill position that can make big plays.
#4 Milford vs. #5 Hopkinton, 7:00
By Bruce Lerch, The Boston Herald
Milford faces an interesting challenge in the first round of the Division 3 Southwest sectional in neighboring Hopkinton (3-4).
Don’t be fooled by the Hillers last-place finish in the Tri-Valley League’s Large Division; this is a team with heart and toughness and one that will certainly force the Scarlet Hawks to play the full 44 minutes. Of Hopkinton’s seven games, six were against teams who qualified for postseason play.
Hopkinton is led by its quarterback/running back tandem of Pat Ryan and Drew Donohue. Donohue followed up a 1,000-yard campaign as a junior with another prolific year and is capable of breaking off big runs while being able to handle 25-plus carries a game without breaking a sweat.
Ryan is a dual-threat QB who provides a nice complement to the running of Donohue and is equally capable of breaking big plays. When the Hillers go to the air, Ryan has an athletic receiving corps to throw to led by Matt Decina, Chase Lampert and Haiden Pereira. Offensive line was a question mark entering the year with Sean Bennett being that unit’s lone returning starter but the group has come together nicely and helped keep things clear for Donohue and Ryan to do their thing.
Defensively, the Hillers have given up a lot of points but when you look at the teams on their schedule - Wayland, Nipmuc (whom they shut out, 33-0), Medfield, Dover-Sherborn and Westwood are all playoff teams while Holliston is regarded as a top 10 team statewide - you can see why.
Hopkinton has played some of its best football the past two weeks. Donohue piled up 275 yards and three touchdowns in a wild, 64-42, victory over D-S and took Westwood to the final two minutes before giving up a late score in a 34-33 loss.